Category Archives: Covetable Goods

by | January 24, 2011 · 8:15 am

{Giveaway!} Wisconsin Cheese Gift Box

When the friendly folks at Wisconsin Cheese Masters offered to sponsor a reader giveaway, they didn’t have to twist our arms. They offer artisan cheeses online and deliver them to straight to your door so that even if you don’t live in Wisconsin you can enjoy its bounty.

So this week we’re excited to be giving away a gift box of Wisconsin artisan cheeses! And what a better time to send some Wisconsin cheese your way than for the Super Bowl starring our beloved Green Bay Packers (sorry, Stef)! You don’t have to be a cheesehead to win.  We just think that any Super Bowl party is better with a little Wisconsin cheese.


Wisconsin Cheese Masters also sent along this tasty recipe for Parmesan Cheese Clouds (like little parmesan cookies!) plus we’ve included links to our favorite cheese recipes below so that even if you don’t win you can still get in on the cheesehead action.

Cheese Clouds
1 C butter
2 C water
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp salt
2-2 1/2 C flour
10 oz shredded SarVecchio or aged parmesan
6 eggs
paprika

Combine butter, water, sugar and salt in a sauce pan. Cook until butter melts and whisk in 2 C flour. Reduce heat, stirring constantly for one minute. Pour into a mixing bowl and beat on low for one minute to cool. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add remaining flour until batter is thick and firm. Fold in cheese. Drop by tablespoons onto parchment lined baking sheet and dust with paprika and kosher salt. Bake for 18-20 minutes at 400 degrees.

For more Wisconsin cheese recipes and ideas check out:
Rosemary White Cheddar Mac ‘n Cheese
Stuffed Pretzel Buns
Cranberry and Toasted Pecan Cheese Ball
Goat Cheese, Apple & Pine Nut Pizza
Cheesy Baked Artichoke Dip
Chorizo Cheeseburger Pie
Wisconsin Cheese Curd Stuffed Bacon Burgers
Zucchini, Prosciutto & Goat Cheese Tartlettes
Cheese Pairing Party

Enter to Win!

To enter, just leave a comment telling us a) who you’re rooting for on Super Bowl Sunday and b) what cheesy dish you’d make for a Super Bowl party. We’ll select a winner at random on Friday.

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by | January 17, 2011 · 8:21 am

{Inspired by} Apres-Ski

Now that the holiday buzz has worn off, the winter doldrums have set in. Those of you who live in the tundra like me can commiserate with the cabin fever and those of you who don’t, well, consider yourselves lucky! I’ve found that taking up an outdoor hobby is the only way I can really get myself to enjoy winter so a few years ago the hubs and I started cross-country skiing. Lately the cold temps and lack of lasting snow had been getting under my skin, but finally this week there was enough snow in my area to go!

Any time I go out I get all obsessive over anything that hints of “apres-ski”. Unfortunately my living room isn’t quite as chic as the Sundance chalet I picture in my head but hey, a girl can dream right?
apres skiClockwise from top left:1. Handmade Marshmallows ($9), 2. Red Wool Mittens ($22), 3. Resin Moose Antlers ($399), 4. Ski Sign ($165), 5. Grey Stag Cushion ($51), 6. Repurposed Frame ($20), 7. Leather Chair ($1445), 8. Vintage French Alps Ski Sweater ($31), 9. Merino Throw ($98), 10. Cate the Great boot ($200), 11. Burton Sly Vest ($99.95)

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by | August 19, 2010 · 7:40 am

And The Great Big Cheese Cookbook winner is….

Thank you to everyone who submitted their cheese comments and recipes. We can’t wait to test some of them out!

We’ve chosen our winner using a random generator. While we wish everyone could win this cookbook, there can only be one winner, and that winner is….Lindsey. HAP reader Lindsey wrote the following comment:

“I could eat brie every day of my life. I have too many favorite cheese recipes my husband and I eat some sort of main cheese focused meal every day. I saw this giveaway and thought it would be such a great gift for him.”

We hope you and your husband enjoy this cookbook!

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by | August 11, 2010 · 7:50 am

Giveaway: The Great Big Cheese Cookbook

Were you overwhelmed with excitement when you read the title of this post? I know the feeling. The wave of excitement rolled over me when I received The Great Big Cheese Cookbook last week at our dinner at Bacchus with the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. The cookbook is just hands-down wonderful: beautiful pictures, TONS of recipes (and very “do-able” recipes at that), tidbits of cheese knowledge. And….it can be yours! This week we are hosting a giveaway where one lucky Haute Apple Pie reader will receive The Great Big Cheese Cookbook.

To enter to win, simply comment on our page and tell us about your favorite kind of cheese or your favorite cheese recipe. Leave your comments by Wednesday, August 18th. One lucky winner will be chosen at random.

To entice your appetite and drum up some enthusiasm about this book, I’ve decided to share a recipe with you from the book.

Fontina-Stuffed Pretzel Bread

Ingredients

1/2 C (about 1/2 medium) julienned yellow onion
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/3 C roasted red peppers, cut into 1/2-in. strips
2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
2 C (8 oz) shredded Fontina cheese
1 C diced smoked baked ham
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 (6-in) pretzel rolls (if you are a Milwaukee native, Sendiks carries great pretzel rolls)

Preheat oven to 375. In a small skillet, saute the onion in oil until soft, 3-4 minutes. In a medium bowl, toss the sauteed onions with the peppers, parsley, thyme, cheese and ham. Season with salt and pepper.

To hollow the pretzel roll, cut off one end and set aside. Using a thin-bladed knife, gently cut the center out of each bread, leaving 3/8 inch around the edge. Use a small spoon to scrape out the inside of the bread. Set aside and save for another use (breadcrumbs!)

Stuff one-fourth of the filling mixture into the pretzel breads by using the end of a wooden spoon to gently push the filling into the bread. Replace the cut-off end, and wrap each bread in foil, leaving the foil open on top. Place the stuffed breads on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the bread is crisp and the filling is warm.

Pretty easy to make and very delicious! With the size pretzel rolls I bought, this made six sandwiches with a little extra filling on the side. If you can’t find pretzel rolls, use a good loaf of french bread. This would be a great appetizer, just slice and serve!

We are looking forward to hearing your thoughts on cheese! Don’t forget to comment on this post to win the cookbook!

*A special thanks to WMMB for providing the cookbook!

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by | May 14, 2010 · 8:06 am

Spring Home Workshop and HAP Dream House

Nestled amongst lush landscaping, set alongside a small bubbling creek in the enchanted land of the Village of Fox Point, Wisconsin lies a house. A house with imported French heated floors, granite slab countertops, arched doorways and skylights galore. A house we wouldn’t mind someday calling home. That someday will (probably) never happen unless the PowerBall numbers fall in our favor, but a girl can dream!

The HAP ladies recently attended the Spring Home Workshop hosted by The Home Market and Show and Tell Homes at a breathtaking home in Fox Point. Costing a mere $2.9 mil, this house is any haute homemakers dream. We were treated to pizza and wine as we toured the house, admiring not only the home itself, but the touches that Kate from the Home Market added to show off all of its possibilities.

The tile work throughout the house was something to be admired, and I love my husband for spending hours reading tile saw reviews – he was right, it was important. We love look of some simple sconces placed above a mantel to add some soft lighting to the room. It is all about elegant simplicity.

White or cream dishes are a great way to go if you are looking to buy a new set. You can make them work with any type of tablescape, from a soft summertime look to a fancy Thanksgiving dinner. Try the easy lighting option of adding some sand to a jar and placing a candlestick inside. And as always, fresh flowers add a natural and personal touch to any dining room. Pick up the freshest, in-season flowers at your local farmer’s market!

Shelving 101:

I always have a tendency to throw junk onto shelves instead of using them as a framework for an artistic piece in the house. I plan to use this picture as some inspiration to “de-junkifying” a bookshelf I have in my house.

It’s so simple! This shelf has a subtle worldly theme with map covered books and the globe. Stack a few of your favorite books to add some character.

Picture frames are always a staple item. The good news is, they don’t need to match! But they should create a cohesive look. Group your pictures similarly. Make some prints in sepia or black and white or use – of your family’s faces.

Expect to see more on shelf decorating from me in the near future! I’m excited to tackle this project.

With soft linens and a fully functional wood burning stove fireplace in the room, I sure wouldn’t mind cozying up at night with the latest issue of Vogue and a glass of wine. The peaked ceilings in this room gave it such an open, airy feeling. Ahhh….

I just about died when I walked into the kitchen. Give me a shack in the mud but with a kitchen like this one! Double ovens, wide open counter spaces, state-of-the-art appliances. If you are thinking of painting cabinets in your kitchen to give it an updated look (like I am), think about trying this clay gray color. It softens up the room and compliments any other color around it!

For the creme de la creme, around the corner at the end of the hallway in the back of the house lies a little room with access to the backyard. Yes friends, it was a POTTING SHED! We HAP ladies drooled and swooned over the thought of this beautiful little room with enough counter space to help you plant your succulents and a hose/shower area big enough to wash your dog or just rinse your Wellies!

So we may never live in this house but we sure can take inspiration from its beauty! Thanks to Kate at The Home Market for the invitation to this great event!

Well…off to the gas station to go pick up my lottery ticket…

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by | April 23, 2010 · 4:17 pm

And the winner is…

The winner of the Organic, Shaken and Stirred Cocktail book, written by Paul Abercrombie, is HAP reader Deb! Read Deb’s comments on how she lives a green life: 

i love that everyone is posting ways to be more green! very inspiring….

– last week we installed two rain barrels, and have them positioned at both the front and rear of our house to (hopefully) provide summer watering for all of our plants.
– i always use canvas bags when grocery shopping.
– have spent the good part of motherhood drilling into the kids’ heads the importance of turning off a light when leaving a room, as well as turning off the faucet when brushing their teeth.
– composting in the yard
– planting a veggie garden with the kids. not only do they help out, but they love eating their own grown stuff!
– walk with kids to school and other local businesses, and bike if they’re a bit farther away.
– reduce, reuse and recycle!!

Happy Earth Week everyone!

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by | March 5, 2010 · 9:01 am

GIVEAWAY! Sugar Beez Vacation Cookie Basket

Hooray!  It’s Giveaway Day and we’re super excited to have Tracy Vasquez from Chicago-land’s Sugar Beez bakery. I met Tracy, her daughter and adorable granddaughter when she was stationed next to me at the Iron Cupcake: Beer event with her Goose Island Stout Cupcakes.

To finish off spring week on a sweet note, one lucky reader will win a custom vacation-themed cookie basket from Sugar Beez.  Judging by how fast Tracy’s cupcakes disappeared, I’m sure her cookies taste as good as they look! To enter, just leave a comment telling us about your “vacation sweet spot” (your favorite vacation destination)!

flip flop cookie

And now…a little about Tracy and Sugar Beez:

1. Give us your one minute bio – a little about you and then how you got into baking.
I’m the mother to 5 daughters, grandmother to 2 babies, wife to Gil for 23 years. I opened Sugar Beez 3 years ago and started baking cookies about 10 years ago. I’d like to say I did it for my kids, but after they got sick of eating cookies every single day, it really became about me. I really just had a great time decorating cookies. I find it to be relaxing and enjoyable because I can tap into my creative nature and let it flow.

When I couldn’t bribe my kids with cookies anymore I started giving them away. Then someone actually asked me if I would make some cookies for them and they would pay me for them…WHAT? I can make money with cookies? And so Sugar Beez was born. I love the challenge of creating custom cookies. Each order is created for the client’s event and it is rare that any two orders are the same.

2. What made you decide to start your own business?
I decided to start Sugar Beez when I was asked a couple of times if I sold my cookies. I thought, heck, if people are willing to buy them, I’m willing to sell them!

3. What would be your advice to someone looking to start their own business?
My advice is do your homework. Connect with SCORE, they have been an invaluable source of information. Attend any small business classes you can. The more you know the better your chances at being successful. But most importantly, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it…don’t be afraid…just give it a try!

4. What is your favorite kind of cookie?
My favorite kind of cookie is oatmeal, no raisins! Love them…the brown sugar butteriness of them….mmmm…now I gotta go make some!

5. Willing to divulge any of your cookie tips for our readers?
Some of the best tips given to me were:
1) Roll out cookie dough between 2 sheets of parchment paper, you won’t have to use flour, which will dry out your dough.
2) Mix your royal icing for at least 7 minutes on low and you will avoid clumps that would clog your decorating tips.
3) After your roll your dough between sheets of parchment, cut your shapes then move the sheet with your shapes onto a cookie sheet and freeze for 15 minutes before baking. This will give the dough a chance to rest and help prevent spreading when you bake.

6. What are 3 ingredients that you always keep on hand?
Powdered sugar, meringue powder and flour.

7. If you could have dinner with 5 people, living or dead, who would they be?
Billy Dec, Rick Bayless, Bronwen Weber, Will Smith and Oprah Winfrey!

starfish decorated cookie

Check out more of Sugar Beez adorable cookies!

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by | February 11, 2010 · 11:20 am

And the winner is…

Congratulations to HAP reader Andrea who posted the following comment to win her very own custom Gubsi Bag! Thanks for all who commented. We love to hear from you!

 Andrea: The bags are too cute! I like that they’re unique, interesting, and AFFORDABLE! I like them all, but if I had to pick one it would be the orange and pink paisley. I would like a bag like that to use as a “transition” diaper bag. My daughter is turning one next week and I don’t need (or want) to carry around a regular diaper bag anymore. I think this would fit bill perfectly. My four-year-old daughter would love the school bags. Oh..and the toiletry bags…I bet Amy could make one to match the tote.

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by | February 5, 2010 · 8:57 am

{Covetable Good} & GIVEAWAY!: Gubsi Bags

It’s HAP’s first giveaway week and with that, I would like to present to you: Gubsi Bags by talented Haute Homemaker, Amy Neumann!

I have known Amy for years and her customizable tote bag creations have become a widespread craze throughout my hometown. Amy hand sews these adorable totes, not only putting her own personal touch on her products, but her customer’s touch as well.

She offers a variety of options and a variety of fabrics to pick and choose from, or you can purchase a pre-made bag. A teacher by trade, her creations inspire us all to do what we love and share it with the world!

I’ve asked Amy a few questions about her line of Gubsi Bags:

What products do you sell? I sell tote bag style purses, toiletry bags, make-up bags, diaper bag sets and children’s school bags and purses.

How did you begin making and selling Gubsi Bags? I purchased a similar bag at a craft show and kept buying bags for gifts for my family. I decided that I could make the same bag and make it better. I found a pattern online and voile!

Where does the name Gubsi Bags come from? Gubsi evolved from an accidental nickname 15+ years ago. Nooms – Nubs – Gubs – Gubsi.

Where do you sell your products? How can I order one? I sell my bags through Etsy. The address www.gubsibags.com will bring you right to my home page.

What type of customer do you typically attract? I have sold bags to girls, boys and women of all ages. Teenagers have been attracted to striped prints, college girls add extra height on the bag to carry their laptop computers and we all know that women love ‘one of a kind’ products.

Where does your inspiration come from? My sister and I loved sewing and would produce small quilts from time to time. She and I were drawn to quilt shops and could shop for hours; working to find fabrics that coordinated with each other. I am always drawn to a particular fabric and love the challenge of matching it with something else. You’ll notice that many of my fabrics are florals. I love floral prints! Carrying a Gubsi Bag with a floral fabric adds a bit of ‘pop’ to any outfit.

So HAP readers, what is your Gubsi Bag style? I have a tote and make-up bag of my own, personalized with seer sucker and toile. 

Looking for a creative gift? My sister picked out fabrics and had totes made for each of her bridesmaids. It was a great personal touch to her bridal gifts and provided a fab photo op! 

And…because it’s GIVEAWAY WEEK, Amy has graciously offered a custom-made Gubsi Bag to one lucky winner. All you have to do is go to www.gubsibags.com and check out her line of products. Come back to us at www.hauteapplepie.com and leave a comment under this post, telling us about your favorite bag, what you like about the products, or what your Gubsi style is! The winner of this giveaway will be announced on Thursday, February 11. 

We look forward to hearing from you and thank Amy for sharing her creativity with us!

 

THIS JUST IN: We’d like to congratulate HAP reader Cindy as the winner of the Haute Apple Pie Christine Tavares pottery giveaway! Usually we pick a winner at random but we were smitten with her clever idea for using Christine’s  jar as a “Love Cup,” especially right before Valentine’s Day! Congratulations Cindy!

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by | November 27, 2009 · 11:38 am

Coming Soon: Haute Holiday Shopping Guide

If you are like me, it is 10 a.m. and you are already done with braving the Black Friday shopping deals. You also most likely bought gifts for yourself, rather than those on your shopping list. If you are like most others, you are probably still recovering from your turkey hangover and would never dream of waking up at the crack of dawn to stand in line to shop.

Whatever the case, Christmas is less than a month away and HAP is here to help with the nagging question of “What do I get my Mom? Or my sister? Or my husband? Or my nephew?”

Next week, Haute Apple Pie will feature daily holiday gift ideas for the following categories: Women, Men, Children, Under $25 and, of course, gifts for the haute modern homemaker. The three of us have compiled a variety of gifts, ranging in price, to help you find the perfect gift for your loved ones. We look forward to sharing our ideas with you and hope that you will share your best holiday gift ideas with us.

We hope everyone had a blessed holiday! See you next week!

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